Fit Kids of Arizona
Taking Aim at Childhood Obesity
Fit Kids of Arizona at Northern Arizona Healthcare is a team-approach center. We are committed to the assessment and treatment of children who are overweight or obese.
Mission
Fit Kids of Arizona will promote healthy lifestyles for children and their families while reducing the consequences of childhood obesity.
Vision
Our children will grow up in a community that supports their health and well-being.
Values
Adaptive to the community needs
Committed to making changes in families and communities
Positive to improve health
Innovative in developing and providing best practices for our community
Collaborative to work with others
The Fit Kids team is made up of medical, nutritional, fitness and behavioral experts who work on an individual basis to identify concerns and problem-areas, and then guide the participant and family members in setting goals for improvement. Since opening in September 2009 at Verde Valley Medical Center, more than 200 children have been referred to the Verde Valley Fit Kids of Arizona program and more than 485 children have been referred to the program at Flagstaff Medical Center since January 2009.
There is not one perfect weight for every person. It is not the goal of Fit Kids of Arizona to make every child conform to certain weight limits. However, sometimes too much weight can lead to health problems including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, fat in the liver, and bone and joint problems. Fit Kids of Arizona can help you to prevent or reduce these problems, leading to a long, healthy, and happy life for your child.
Fit Kids of Arizona is open to any child who meets the admission criteria:
- Body mass index (BMI) for age and gender greater than the 95th percentile regardless of health condition
- BMI for age and gender greater than the 85th percentile with a medical co-morbidity including:
| High blood pressure |
High blood glucose |
High cholesterol |
| High triglycerides |
High insulin levels |
Insulin resistance |
| Abnormal glucose tolerance |
Fat in the liver |
High liver enzymes in the blood |
| Sleep apnea |
Blount’s disease |
Slipped capped femoral epiphysis |
- Fit Kids of Arizona must receive a referral from your child’s physician. Your child’s physician will also send you to receive blood work. Fit Kids requests these blood tests include a comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone level on each child in order to determine if your child’s weight is impacting his/ her health.
There are four primary focus areas of the comprehensive program:
1. Medical Examination
The purpose of this evaluation is to identify any core medical problems (such as a hormone disorder) and presence of, or potential for future, problems (including high blood lipids, blood sugar or blood pressure).
2. Physical Activity Counseling
An exercise specialist will work with patients to develop a safe and fun activity plan and undergo a fitness exam.
3. Nutrition Counseling
Making changes in food choices is the key nutritional approach used by Fit Kids. Prior to the first visit, all patients (or caregivers) are asked to keep a record of foods eaten. After a complete review of this information, goals will be set specific to the patient and their family. Weight-reducing drugs are not used in the Fit Kids program.
4. Behavioral Change
Behavioral change efforts focus on encouraging patients and caregivers to change diet and physical activity level. The program incorporates individual and family counseling sessions. These sessions also may help children cope with the stress related to being overweight.
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